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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: What is it about the Christian faith that is termed “narrow”? I’m not equipped to sufficiently explain it other than Christianity does not celebrate the ways of the world as we live out our lives in obedience to Christ. – N.W.

A: Christianity increases the scope and area of our lives. It takes us from self-centeredness to multi-centeredness. Our lives take on new dimensions when we find peace with God. Why? Because Jesus told His followers to go into the world and preach the Gospel.

Narrow does not mean holing up in a room with the door locked. Jesus Himself explained the narrow way. “Enter through the narrow gate,” Jesus said. “For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13–14, NIV).

Jesus further explained: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). This is what is narrow: There’s only one way to salvation in Jesus Christ and that is through Him. We cannot get to His salvation through any other claim or practice. This isn’t arrogance to claim that there’s only one way of salvation. Do we fault a pilot for being narrow-minded when he follows the instrument panel while landing in a rainstorm? No, we want the pilot to remain narrowly focused. And Christ wants His people to be focused on Him.

Much of the world believes little or nothing. People are broad but shallow. Anxiety and emptiness have gripped much of the world. By contrast, we have many people who have exhibited a narrowness of what they believe, unswerving in their loyalty to God’s Word and passionately dedicated to the God they trust. The feet of the Christian need to tread the narrow path that the Savior trod, keeping in step with Him.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.